The Vernon Collins Oration was established in 1981, in memory of Professor Vernon Collins, the first Medical Director of The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. He held this position from 1949 to 1960 and then became the Professor of Child Health in the University of Melbourne, before retiring in 1974. 

The Oration was held bi-annually until 1989, and annually since 1990 and has been an important part of The Royal Children’s Hospital’s 150 year history.

It is conducted under the auspices of The Royal Children’s Hospital Executive, the Medical Staff Association, The University of Melbourne and the RCH Alumni.

The annual Vernon Collins Oration celebrates the legacy of a gifted clinician, and a great educator and mentor.

The 2022 Vernon Collins Oration will be delivered by Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, Executive Director of the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, Western Australia, an infectious diseases consultant physician at Perth Children’s Hospital, and a Professor at The University of Western Australia. 

Professor Carapetis has made an international contribution and commitment to the reduction of rheumatic heart disease and group A streptococcal infections. While rare in most developed countries, Australia has one of the highest rates of the disease in the world due to its prevalence within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, particularly in Northern Australia. 

In 2021, Professor Carapetis was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Medicine from Curtin University and was the recipient of the Professions Award at the 2021 West Australian of the Year Awards. In 2018, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant contribution to medical research. In 2013, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory and was named as Northern Territory Australian of the Year in 2008. 

Speaker:

Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM